Thinkware F800 Model Clarification

The F800 was initially announced back in January as the F800 Air. New cloud storage and remote management features drew early critical acclaim. As the originally intended launch date of July approached, it became apparent that Thinkware had not been able to finalise these features.

F800 Base Model

Thinkware still needed to ship a product to some markets however, so a base model F800 was launched. This was primarily for the American (USA) market.

This model has a silver camera protrusion and the same parking mode features as the previous F770. It does though feature the upgraded Sony STARVIS Exmor R IMX291 sensors. These significantly improve low-light performance.

F800 Pro

The F800 Pro is a new release for the UK market. The camera sensors are the same, however the low-power parking mode has been improved.

The Pro model features 1/3 less power draw. It can also enter a sleep mode, waking up to record 20 seconds of footage if the car/camera are sufficiently rocked to trigger the accelerometer/g-sensor. Motion sensing is also available on both front & rear cameras.

Finally, the Pro model has a black camera protrusion, which allows for more discreet installation.

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/17/thinkware-f800-stock-pro-model-clarification/feed/053399Shot on a smartphone… But can you do the same?http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/15/smartphone-photography-realism-additional-equipment/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/15/smartphone-photography-realism-additional-equipment/#respondTue, 15 Aug 2017 09:51:00 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53376Camera quality is probably the biggest differentiating feature in modern smartphones. With manufacturers trying to justify prices up to and beyond £700 for top-tier handsets, smartphone photography really has to go above and beyond. Each year the boundaries get pushed. Like title fighters continuously staging rematches, iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S phones were pitched against […]

]]>The most recent top-tier smartphones are now moving to dual-camera set ups

Camera quality is probably the biggest differentiating feature in modern smartphones. With manufacturers trying to justify prices up to and beyond £700 for top-tier handsets, smartphone photography really has to go above and beyond.

Each year the boundaries get pushed. Like title fighters continuously staging rematches, iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S phones were pitched against each other year on year in comparison articles.

The last 12 months have seen some contenders step up though. Google’s Pixel and HTC’s U11 both took top spots from DxOMark on their respective releases. Even before their official announcements, blogs are already talking about potential updates and technologies to be included in the next round of devices.

Taking the perfect shot

So just how good can a smartphone camera be? Well there are dozens of galleries online to contrast and compare images. One of the first places you see a phone’s photography abilities might be an official advert or press release. Can you trust such a source though?

When pictures say “Shot on iPhone/Galaxy” or are part of press releases, how much can you trust them?

Now a manufacturer can’t outright lie; the picture must have been taken using the referenced product. What about additional equipment or post-processing though? Look closely and you may see a caveat or small print about that. Even award-winning images that aren’t directly affiliated by the manufacturer show signs of heavy editing.

Paying a professional photographer is one thing. They have the knowledge of light, composition and everything else required to get the most from any camera. But if they happen to be using a a few grand’s worth of additional gimbals, lenses and other hardware, this can’t really be called indicative of real-life use.

Such equipment is undoubtedly necessary for a professional to capture the best possible image. Yet when the end goal is to show a consumer the potential quality of their mobile phone camera, I think it borders on dishonest.

Of course sales, marketing and advertisements have danced the moral line of dishonesty since their conception. Most of us accept this. Still, with the camera becoming a primary purchasing factor, perhaps some “real-life” tests and reviews should be in place? Also, do consumer level options exist to make this more accessible to the average buyer?

Popular YouTuber Marques Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, discusses this very topic in the following video:

Smartphone Photography: The camera you have with you

With an RRP of about £300, the DJI Osmo Mobile isn’t the cheapest accessory but as a consumer grade item, it certainly delivers

Marques states Chase Jarvis’ well-worn phrase in the video above: “The best camera is the one you have with you”. It’s a simple statement that is truer today than ever before. Smartphones are now so ubiquitous that they have completely replaced a standalone camera for many people.

Of course no smartphone will ever best a true DSLR or quality bridge camera. Even decent budget cameras will do a better job with depth of field, macro and low-light shooting than all but the highest-tier smartphones.

But for many people, why would they spend even £150 on a standalone camera, when the one in their phone does a decent enough job? Chase’s quote seems remarkably prescient, especially as the title of a 2009 project, when smartphone photography was mediocre at best. The dizzy modern heights of an iPhone 7 with OIS were unthinkable 8 years ago.

Never mind the convenience of instant sharing. I recently wrote about a desire for an Android DSLR, or at the very least a pocket camera with decent sharing capabilities. I think a market exists here, for those who know they can take better shots, but find the smartphone welded to their daily connected lives.

Your favourite picture

Many of us have friends and family who share great images on social media. Often these have been shot themselves without all the fancy gear.

If you would like to see a collection of great shots, all taken on smartphones, you could take a look at this Flickr group: featured on Steve Litchfield’s Phone Show Chat.

Do you have a favourite picture from a smartphone? Something taken yourself, from a friend or maybe even a celebrity?

And how do you feel about spending extra money on accessories? Would you buy a DJI gimbal at a few hundred pounds for super-smooth video? Do you think that manufacturers putting a phone in a rig that costs a couple of grand is overselling the advertised capabilities of a product?

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/15/smartphone-photography-realism-additional-equipment/feed/053376Clove’s top 10 smartphones August 2017http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/14/cloves-top-10-smartphones-august-2017/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/14/cloves-top-10-smartphones-august-2017/#commentsMon, 14 Aug 2017 10:30:50 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53144The traditional Summer slowdown has hit and there have been very few recent smartphone releases of note. The most impressive handset we’ve seen launch has been without a doubt the Honor 9. Actually released right on the cusp of June/July, it wasn’t around long enough to make last month’s list. Now it’s been on sale […]

The traditional Summer slowdown has hit and there have been very few recent smartphone releases of note.

The most impressive handset we’ve seen launch has been without a doubt the Honor 9. Actually released right on the cusp of June/July, it wasn’t around long enough to make last month’s list.

Now it’s been on sale for a few weeks, it can take pride of place in the list. As a result we’ve decided to bump the Honor 8 Pro. Still an excellent phone, it didn’t make sense to have two such similar handsets from the same manufacturer here. Still if you want the larger screen, the 8 Pro is still an excellent choice and feel free to substitute it for the 9 in this list.

As for other devices, we’ve had the Nokia 3 land in our warehouse recently. Even with strong interest the plucky entry level unit hasn’t reached our list; customers currently prefer the tried and tested Moto G range at this price tier. Perhaps the more advanced Nokias will feature when they finally launch in the UK.

Looking ahead there are still announcements from Motorola to come before the end of the year. At the time of writing we’ve listed the Moto Z2 Play. When this post is available to read it may well be on sale. The first of a range of new Moto announcements due soon, the Z2 Play tries to strike a balance of price, performance and utility in the mid range.

As for the top end of this list, the BlackBerry KEYone remains our top seller. The XZ Premium remains hot on its heels though. It seems that diehard BlackBerry fans exist the world over – who knew there were still so many of them waiting for this blend of Android and physical keyboard?

10. Moto E4

The Moto G used was the original budget smartphone that still performed well. Moto have recently altered their ranges and pricing, so that there are 5 tiers: c, e, g, x, and z.

With the Moto G now a mid-range phone (and included further down this list), and the Moto C providing the real budget ‘essentials’ experience, there is a small but necessary gap to fill in the smartphone pyramid.

Entering that space of affordable with a few mod-cons, is the all-new Moto E4. Available for only £129, this simple handset still provides a 5″ HD display, 8MP camera and removable 2,800 mAh battery. An up to date Android 7.1.1 installation runs the show, plus there’s a basic fingerprint sensor, making this one of the cheapest devices on the market to include both.

If you want a larger version, the E4 Plus has a 5.5″ display and costs £169. The extra cash also nets you a huge 5,000 mAh battery.

The rest of the specifications are pretty basic, but that hasn’t stopped us receiving a lot of interest in the E4. It has quietly filled the sub £150 space the original Moto G and Wileyfox Swift have left behind.

9. Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4

Perhaps an unexpected entry, we have seen a lot of interest in Samsung’s Xcover 4 in the past couple of months.

The previous Xcover 3 was somewhat of a sleeper hit. Due to its popularity with workers and companies as a robust phone for staff, it sold well throughout its lifespan. It even received a specification bump midway through, keeping it on sale much longer most phones these days.

It had to end someday though and Samsung have recently pulled the plug on the Xcover 3. As a result, plenty of people looking for one have stumbled upon its successor.

The Xcover 4 basically has everything that made the last version so popular. It also has the usual improvements to the OS, screen, processor, camera etc. that one expects from an incremental upgrade.

Xcover 4 now ships with Android 7.0 and a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor. The screen is bumped up to 5 inches and has a new ‘glove-mode’ with better touch sensitivity.

Other improvements include a programmable key and NFC. This supports Android Pay contactless payments and passive pairing/checking in. A redesigned case improves grip and notches the IP rating from IP67 to IP68.

Finally, Samsung have also included their Knox security software. A nod to the amount of companies that were interested in the Xcover range, this allows for simple management of device deployments and supports popular off-the-shelf MDM (Mobile Device Management) solutions.

8. LG G6

The G6 is LG’s 2017’s flagship device. It pivots away from the modular design of the G5 to a more traditional smartphone style, albeit one with an interesting 18:9 screen ratio.

Frustratingly for LG it launched in shadow of the media frenzy that was the S8, which pulled a similar trick. Whilst well-received by critics and customers, this has impacted on the G6 which has slid down our top ten this month.

On paper the G6 does everything you would expect a leading smartphone to. If you’re looking for a top-tier handset but don’t want to commit to the Samsung brand, LG’s G6 offers a more than capable alternative.

There are plenty of unique features, the most prominent being the 18:9 (or 2:1) screen ratio. With over 80% screen-to-body ratio, this 5.7″ display dominates the front of the handset.

The LG G6 also features a return of the rear-mounted power button, this time integrated into the fingerprint sensor. Volume controls are located on one side. An IP rating is here too, so there’s no problem if this used in a damp or dusty environment.

A dual camera set up has been an important development in mobile photography in the past year. Depending on the implementation though, results can vary drastically. At their best, dual cameras allow you to take images with enhanced depth of field, contrast and brightness, plus introduce special effect and layering technology not possible with just one lens.

LG have always pushed the boundaries of camera technology with the G range.

On the LG G6, both rear cameras have a 1/3.06″sensor with f/2.4 aperture and 1.12μm size pixels. The difference is one lens has a super-wide 125° field of view compared to the standard 71° on the other.Switching between the two cameras is easy as swiping across the screen. Also available are specialised shooting modes and effects utilising both lenses simultaneously.

32GB storage, 4GB RAM, MicroSD card slot (up to 256GB) and a 3,300 mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 are all reasons to pick the G6 as your next device.

7. HTC U 11

HTC’s latest flagship entry has received a mixed response from critics. On paper the specifications look more than capable and match up to its competition. The camera too, has received some excellent reviews, including a 90/100 from DxOMark, making it their highest ever scoring mobile camera.

Still, it seems that the average buyer may not be sold on the Edge Sense control. For those not in the loop, HTC U 11 has a squeezable edge. You read that right. You can squeeze it.

Squeezing can launch and operate the camera, as well as implementing other context-sensitive actions depending on the app you’re in.

It’s certainly a novel feature and performs just like you’d expect. Still it’s the kind of thing that’s difficult to get across to people without them actually trying it.

Whether it’s HTC’s stripped back marketing or consumer confusion, we haven’t seen the kind of sales we’d expect for the U 11, which is why it doesn’t feature further up the list.

This is still a very good smartphone though and potentially has the best mobile camera to date. HTC’s Sense software is also considered by many to be one of the best OEM implementations of Android on a mainstream smartphone.

If you want to try something a little different, the HTC U 11 certainly ticks that box.

6. Moto G5

Shrinking back to the 5″ display found on the Moto G3, the Moto G5 brings back a bit more of a compact form factor, compared to the previous 5.5″ G4.

Also gone from the G4 is the metal frame. The G5 returns to a plastic construction to cut costs, although it looks better than it used to thanks to a brushed aluminium effect.

The camera module also stands out; this is now a design hallmark across all new Moto handsets which helps them stand out in a crowd.

Retaining affordability, the G5 is available with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, also providing microSD expansion and fingerprint security for just £170.

Android is the operating system of choice, updated to 7.0 Nougat in 2017. All of the Google services are pre-installed, as well as some neat Moto additions such as the karate-chop motion to turn the flashlight on. Innovative and useful tweaks that just make the device a little more fun, but useful.

The battery is removable, unusual for a modern phone, and new compared to previous internal batteries in past Moto Gs.

This is a great first smartphone or for those looking for the ultimate blend of performance and price. You can’t go too far wrong here, especially when the smaller screen appeals to those who want one-handed use.

5. Honor 9

In many ways the Honor 9 feels like the culmination of the Honor strategy. Launched as an online-only “millennial-focussed” brand, Honor have been making great gains both in their native China and globally.

Initially conceived as a provider of budget devices with decent specifications, the higher range handsets have progressively included more impressive technology at prices that make you do a double take.

The Honor 9 is the logical extreme of this, with a construction and specification sheet that could sit it comfortably next to flagship phones from any of the major manufacturers. Yet it only costs £380!

On closer inspection you can see where a difference of about £200 is compared to the likes of Samsung or Sony. The 1080p screen is not quite as crisp or sharp as a Galaxy S8 or XZ Premium. The cameras too – whilst very good in their own right – don’t have quite the same level of finesse either.

Still for anyone looking for a top-tier device on a budget, you really need look no further. The Honor 9 ticks every box and delivers an excellent saving.

4. CAT S60

A niche requirement it may well be but it suits those that need, tough, rugged and capable.

If you are looking for a new smartphone for you mum, aunt or friend, this is unlikely to be the one unless being used for professional purposes.

On the flip-side, if you’re a bit of a power user and find yourself in the outdoors in your spare time, maybe it’s worth consideration.

For those who want a rugged and reliable phone that can survive water, impacts and a bit of a tougher life, the S60 is one you must consider.

A definite unique feature and big selling point is the built-in thermal camera. Have you seen what it can do? Check out just some examples of how it can be used here.

Dedicated thermal cameras exist but they’re not exactly pocket friendly. Nor can they do a lot more than just thermal imaging. As a result the S60 is a very compelling device. Capture thermal images and video, create the report and send it off all whilst several hundred miles away from the office and in the middle of almost nowhere!

Built into a very solid and rugged frame, the S60 is drop and water resistant to 5 metres. This is an Android smartphone which can serve construction workers, site managers, engineers and the outdoors type very well.

Create, edit and review documents on the go. Manage your email, music or catch up with the latest news. Navigate from point A to B via C. The S60 is an all-round modern smartphone device that just works.

32GB of internal storage can be expanded via a microSD card. Plus you can run 2 SIM cards, combining a personal and work SIM into one phone.

3. Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

Every year manufacturers try to wow us with a new flagship release. In recent years though it has become increasingly difficult to be impressed. Many of the advancements in recent devices are not the big jumps in technology they once were.

Samsung has chosen to make an obvious statement with the new Galaxy S8 range. The screen is the most important feature of the phone. It is the window through which we view and interact with the modern world.

The last few generations have given us truly curved edges and new ways to interact. With the S8, Samsung take this to the logical extreme available in modern technology. The Infinity Display is available in 2 variants; the standard S8 has a 5.8″ screen and the S8+ comes with a 6.2″ panel.

Naturally this is an Android phone with a hefty amount of additional software features. In addition to standard Android features are Samsung’s developments, including the new Bixby Assistant. You can also turn the phone into a desktop workstation via Samsung DeX.

Google accounts, corporate exachange email accounts, social media accounts and more, they all run like a charm on the S8. It is the S7 perfected. Whilst some may not see a need to upgrade from the S7 but when held side-by-side you really can see how impressive it is to fit such a screen in only a marginally larger body.

2. Sony Xperia XZ Premium

One of the most anticipated releases of the past few months, the Xperia XZ Premium certainly lived up to expectations. If it wasn’t for the admittedly unexpected strong performance of the KEYone, the Premium would be taking our top spot this month.

Marketed as having the world’s first 4K HDR screen, the display on the XZ Premium really has to be seen to be believed. Marketing videos don’t do it justice as both the brightness and colours deliver exceptional quality.

The upgraded camera sensor is known in the marketing blurb as MotionEye. The key selling point is the new 960 fps super-slow motion shooting mode. This is perhaps a touch gimmicky and following initial use, probably needs an update or two to stabilise and remove some artefacts.

Otherwise though the standard still photography and high definition video recording (including 4K) are exceptional. Sony’s imaging prowess is known globally and the XZ Premium captures detailed, natural shots in a variety of conditions.

Other added-value extras include the Qnovo Battery Care system, which intelligently manages power during charging and discharge, to extend the lifespan of the battery.

Add in stereo speakers, Hi-Res audio support, Bluetooth 5, IP68 water resistance, Gorilla Glass 5 and PlayStation 4 Remote Play and you have a phone that offers up all the very latest in connectivity.

For some the industrial looking design and thick top/bottom bezels may be off-putting. Others find them very attractive and useful when holding the phone in landscape. Each to their own.

Whatever you’re feelings on the design, you can’t deny the Xperia XZ Premium includes just about everything you could want from a flagship phone at this time.

1. BlackBerry KEYone

One of the only devices to offer the combination of touchscreen and psychical keyboard, it has been met with mixed reactions.

There are those that love the idea and are a bit nostalgic. Of course the flip side are those who feel it is a lost product in today’s all-touch environment.

I am not here to argue who is right or wrong. It’s not for everyone and to each their own. What I can say though is that by judging by the interest here at Clove, there are plenty of people who like what the KEYone offers.

It ticks the boxes for a solid high-mid specification; it’s not all singing and dancing, but definitely not a budget device.

One thing it does offer is excellent performance and battery life. The KEYone’s blend of power-efficient processor, reduced screen size and physically large battery make for a total workhorse of a phone.

The keys offer tactile feedback. They also include an integrated capacitive trackpad and fingerprint sensor. Plus the 4.5″ touchscreen is large and responsive enough for when you need it.

You can set shortcuts to certain keys on the 4-row keyboard with short or long presses. There’s even a programmable shortcut key on the side of the phone.

Android 7.0 is the operating system of choice over the older BlackBerry OS. This offers access to all the latest social and messaging platforms, with additional BlackBerry security layered on top.

BlackBerry too have added a variety of apps on top to give extra value and functionality to the phone.

Clove top 10 information

Please do remember that this list is our top 10 based on our preferences, feelings, sales and customer feedback. Others may have a very different opinion on what makes their top 10. For a complete list of the phones that we range, see our SIM free smartphones section.

If you have any questions then contact us on sales@clove.co.uk or by phoning +44 (0)1202 552936 and we will happily help.

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/14/cloves-top-10-smartphones-august-2017/feed/553144DJI Phantom 4 Pro User Guide / Manualhttp://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/13/dji-phantom-4-pro-user-guide-manual/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/13/dji-phantom-4-pro-user-guide-manual/#respondSun, 13 Aug 2017 16:04:33 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53166DJI’s Phantom series has become the consumer drone of choice amongst UAV enthusiasts and amateur pilots. The brand is now well-known for being simple to set up and use straight out of the box. Powerful battery technology has increased flight time to 30 minutes, plus intelligent integrated software now offers collision detection and obstacle avoidance […]

DJI’s LightBridge technology allows for a direct connection to your smartphone or tablet via the DJI GO app. DJI also include automatic video editing & live streaming capabilities so you can instantly share your flight with the world!

Want to know before you buy? Below you can find the digital version of the DJI Phantom 4 Pro user manual. If you would like a printed version, please click here.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro User Guide

Hopefully the user manual will answer any of the outstanding questions that you have about the device. If anything isn’t covered, or you have questions, please feel free to ask in the comments or to contact our sales team.

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/13/dji-phantom-4-pro-user-guide-manual/feed/053166BlackBerry KEYone How To Videos: Enable Type By Swipinghttp://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/12/blackberry-keyone-how-to-videos-enable-type-swiping/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/12/blackberry-keyone-how-to-videos-enable-type-swiping/#respondSat, 12 Aug 2017 12:30:38 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53267The BlackBerry KEYone, has had an excellent first few months with positive reviews and strong sales. Popularised a few years ago by the app Swype, swipe typing has become commonplace. You’ll now find the technology integrated into many software keyboards both on Android and iOS. But what about the physical keyboard on the KEYone? Well […]

The BlackBerry KEYone, has had an excellent first few months with positive reviews and strong sales.

Popularised a few years ago by the app Swype, swipe typing has become commonplace. You’ll now find the technology integrated into many software keyboards both on Android and iOS.

But what about the physical keyboard on the KEYone? Well believe it or not, you can enable swipe typing here too. KEYone’s keyboard has an integrated touch panel so it can register you scrolling. This generally comes into use when scrolling through menus however can also be used to type.

The setting is part of the BlackBerry Keyboard settings, so you retain any of the data learned from your typing habits, including dictionary additions, suggested words and alternative settings.

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/12/blackberry-keyone-how-to-videos-enable-type-swiping/feed/053267Google Pixel: Limited UK Spec Stock £449http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/11/google-pixel-limited-uk-spec-stock-449/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/11/google-pixel-limited-uk-spec-stock-449/#respondFri, 11 Aug 2017 15:24:26 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53368With rumours that Google will be releasing the Pixel 2 sometime in October, you might question buying an original model now. Well perhaps price can tempt you…? Last year’s release saw Google taking some criticism for the high price of the Pixel. We can probably also expect the new version to roll in at over […]

We only have the base 32GB Black model right now, having secured some official UK specification handsets. The larger Pixel XL is also available for just £581 (£484 ex-VAT).

The Google Pixel is the flagship device for showcasing the best of Android. Unlike previous Nexus devices which featured ‘stock’ Android, the Pixel does have additional software features and optimisations for its hardware. Developed and designed directly by Google, Pixel shows just what an OEM device can be capable of.

Receiving rave reviews across the board, Google Pixel has been praised for its speed, deep integration of Google services and incredible camera quality.

If you need reminding about the specifications, just take a quick look below:

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/11/google-pixel-limited-uk-spec-stock-449/feed/053368Thinkware F800: Due August, “Air” Update Later This Yearhttp://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/10/thinkware-f800-air-update-late-2017/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/10/thinkware-f800-air-update-late-2017/#commentsThu, 10 Aug 2017 14:00:18 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53358We first talked about the Thinkware F800 back in January. The newest addition to Thinkware’s wide range of dash cams, the F800 won an Innovation Award at CES. This award was provided due to the forward-thinking remote features showcased at CES. These features gave the product its original name: Thinkware F800 “Air”. Thinkware F800 | […]

Thinkware F800 Air Features

These features incorporated Internet of Things (IoT) technology into the camera. With F800 connected to a Wi-Fi network (public, private, or via mobile hotspot), the IoT connection can provide remote alerts. These utilise a Thinkware account system, delivering push notifications to smartphones with the relevant app.

Alerts could be due to incidents recorded when the car is parked. There’s also the option to create geofences, delivering notifications if the camera goes outside these GPS areas. Finally a Driving Report Service analyses driving patterns to support safe driving.

Thinkware F800 “Pro”

Originally set to launch in July, this date arrived with the product only available in Asian markets. The camera was also marketed as the F800 Pro, with the Air features mysteriously absent.

Having done some investigation, it appears the background services for these features are not yet finished. The hardware is ready though, so rather than wait, Thinkware chose to launch the product without Air.

It is the Pro version that will be available from Clove this month, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. The full software update to unlock the Air features should be available by the end of the year.

All Pro models sold will be able to receive the update. This can be completed OTA when connected to a trusted Wi-Fi network. The redesigned F800 app for iOS and Android can also check for updates. Those wanting to do things the more old-fashioned way will be able to download the update and install manually.

Once the update is released, Thinkware will sell the F800 Air as a complete product, slowly removing the Pro from the market.

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/10/thinkware-f800-air-update-late-2017/feed/553358Where did all the compact phones go?http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/09/where-did-compact-phones-go/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/09/where-did-compact-phones-go/#respondWed, 09 Aug 2017 11:00:24 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53179Not too long ago, it was common for there to be a ‘Compact’ or ‘Mini’ version of many manufacturer’s flagship phones. With the trend to towards ever larger devices, this practise seems to have fallen by the wayside. What’s worse for fans of smaller phones is that even the more budget-friendly handsets now seem to […]

Not too long ago, it was common for there to be a ‘Compact’ or ‘Mini’ version of many manufacturer’s flagship phones.

With the trend to towards ever larger devices, this practise seems to have fallen by the wayside. What’s worse for fans of smaller phones is that even the more budget-friendly handsets now seem to start with a 5-inch panel as the norm. Anything less is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

The iPhone SE has a 4″ screen and has been hugely popular

Several years ago Steve Jobs famously said “no one’s going to buy that” in reference to large Android phones. He was wrong; large Android phones arguably forced Apple to increase the iPhone’s size over time, albeit still noticeably smaller than each year’s equivalent Android devices.

Still, the popularity of the 4-inch iPhone SE, released in 2016, shows that there’s definitely a market for a smaller product.

So where have they gone?

It’s tough to say but I think a big part of the issue is the slim margins made in the Android OEM world. As the smartphone market matures, the amount of competition is staggering. This forces prices down and even manufacturers with big customer bases are making slim profits. All this results in companies streamlining product ranges and making ‘safe’ bets on their lines.

If all the competition has a 5-inch screen as a minimum, it’s suicide in the tech world to go smaller. Even if you think potential customers might like it!

Reviewers and bloggers will cry out: “It’s ONLY 4.5 inches” or “Why would anyone make such a thing in 2017!”. It’s something we see a lot at Clove: a disconnect between industry narrative and what the average consumer actually wants.

The impetus for this piece was the news that Samsung are going to make a Galaxy S8 Mini. This news has me in two minds.

A properly miniaturised version of the S8 is, in theory at least, an excellent idea. The S8 is already big and the Plus, whilst a beautiful piece of engineering, is monstrously large. However Samsung have history in the Mini world and it isn’t great.

“Mini” phones aren’t always just smaller

Previous Samsung ‘Mini’ versions were misnomers, verging on the edge of misrepresentation. Playing on the brand name of the flagship release, they often had dramatically reduced specifications. In my opinion this lead to customer confusion as your S4 Mini, for example, actually had a lot less features than the S4 proper.

The Z3 Compact had a 4.6″ screen and remains one of Clove’s best ever selling smartphones

The counterpoint to this was, until recently, Sony. The Z3 and Z5 Compact phones were excellent products. They didn’t compromise on internal specifications, yet reduced the overall size. Of course, keeping the spec high did impact the RRP.

Cost is always the final piece of the puzzle. With cameras and processors being two of the most expensive components, just reducing screen and chassis size doesn’t end up delivering a big saving to the manufacturer. Less so when you consider the phone will have the same development overheads (physical design, circuit/electrical design, prototyping, marketing etc).

It’s not actually much cheaper to make a compact phone

As a result, producing a physically smaller version of an established high-spec phone is going to reduce the manufacturer’s profits. Additional development costs + cannibalised sales of the flagship line = reduced profits. It’s no wonder Samsung took the stance of lowering the specifications on their Minis. We’ve also seen Sony step backwards. The recent Xperia X Compact lowered the specifications compared to the larger X.

So is there place for Mini / Compact phones to make a comeback? Personally I think so, however perhaps we shouldn’t bet on the big boys here.
Apple’s unique vertical integration and customer base means they can afford to produce the iPhone SE as a separate line. However Samsung, Sony, LG et al. are unlikely to put top specifications in a small phone as they concern themselves with avoiding a loss making product at all costs (even the upcoming S8 Mini is being trimmed).

Who could take the plunge?

So where should we look? As with many things today: China. The number of brands that start up in China is incredible, all of them looking to have a slice of the country’s huge economy and customer base. As they rise through the ranks, some of those brands start to spread across the globe. Just look at Oneplus, Honor (albeit part of Huawei), Xiaomi, Meizu and others.

Perhaps one of the more established Chinese brands might risk bucking current trends to approach a different market?

If anyone is going to make a disruptive phone that merges high specification, low cost and a small body, it could well be one of these brands. Otherwise, I think there’s potential for a newcomer to specifically target this niche.

For many a 4 to 4.5 inch screen is perfect. The smaller, lighter phone is easier to carry round and hold. For those that don’t require a big screen for modern multimedia consumption, the reduction in overall size and cost is an ideal few manufacturers seem willing to cater for.

So what do you think? Would you like to see more smaller phones on the market? Would you like these to be high specification models, or stick to a lower specification? Let us know your thoughts!

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/09/where-did-compact-phones-go/feed/053179Transfer To Galaxy Smartphones With Samsung Smart Switchhttp://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/08/samsung-smartphone-transfer-smart-switch/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/08/samsung-smartphone-transfer-smart-switch/#respondTue, 08 Aug 2017 15:00:25 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53332When switching phones it can be a pain having to transfer all of your data. This can be especially frustrating when moving from one platform to another, such as iOS to Android. Having personal data on different accounts and services can make the prospect of a move daunting. With this in mind, Samsung now have an […]

]]>When switching phones it can be a pain having to transfer all of your data. This can be especially frustrating when moving from one platform to another, such as iOS to Android.

Having personal data on different accounts and services can make the prospect of a move daunting. With this in mind, Samsung now have an intelligent system to help almost anyone move over to a Galaxy smartphone.

The all new Smart Switch system allows people to easily transfer important data to a new Galaxy handset.

There is support for other Android devices and iOS, as well as older Windows and BlackBerry products. The platform can also operate wirelessly, with a direct USB connection or with an intermediary computer. They’ve thought of pretty much everything!

What can be transferred?

Some switching services struggle to port everything across, especially unique details such as calendar events. Samsung Smart Switch will do its best to get all of the following information across:

Contacts

Messages

Photos

Videos

Music

Calendar events

Apps

Device settings

If moving from an earlier Samsung model or most recent Android handsets, all of the above should be found. You can select which options to find and copy. This will let you quickly carry on with the new phone where you left off.

Should you be coming from an older Android or different operating system, then apps and other system-level settings will not transfer for obvious reasons.

How does Samsung Smart Switch work?

There are three main ways in which to use Smart Switch. All have their benefits and you can use the option you are most comfortable with.

You can perform Smart Switch with a direct USB connection, over a Wi-Fi network or with a computer. Please note that depending on the phone you transfer from, not all of these options will be available.

The direct USB connection and Wi-Fi options require the Android app. This is pre-installed on newer Samsung phones and can be downloaded from Google Play for other devices.

Desktop software is available for those wanting saved copies of their data. A direct download is available for Windows PC and Apple Mac computers.

Samsung Smart Switch Tutorials

Sync other devices

If you have an older Samsung device which is not Smart Switch compatible, then you still have an option. You can use the Kies program to connect the phone to a PC.

Within Kies you can perform a backup of your personal data. When a newer Galaxy Device is connected, relevant data can be transferred to it from Kies.

Overall

Switching to a new phone is a cause for anxiety in many people, regardless of your technical experience. Samsung Smart Switch offers an advanced solution with a simple interface that almost anyone should be able to follow.

The added bonus of being able to transfer text conversations and other messages makes the system worth recommending to anyone.

]]>http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/08/samsung-smartphone-transfer-smart-switch/feed/053332Moto Z2 Play Gold Now Shipping: £379 with FREE TurboPower Packhttp://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/07/moto-z2-play-gold-now-shipping-379-free-turbopower-pack/
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2017/08/07/moto-z2-play-gold-now-shipping-379-free-turbopower-pack/#respondMon, 07 Aug 2017 12:33:46 +0000http://blog.clove.co.uk/?p=53347We’ve focused on Motorola a lot recently but for good reason. They are slowly but surely filling out the Android world with several handsets at various specification and price points. Looking at parent company Lenovo, it’s a tactic which has worked well in the home computing and laptop market. Time will tell if this plan […]

]]>We’ve focused on Motorola a lot recently but for good reason. They are slowly but surely filling out the Android world with several handsets at various specification and price points.

Looking at parent company Lenovo, it’s a tactic which has worked well in the home computing and laptop market. Time will tell if this plan of action has the same results in mobile.

The Z2 Play approaches the higher tier of current smartphones but stops short of being a ‘flagship’ phone. We’ll have to wait until next month to get our hands on the Z2 proper in the UK.

Even without top of the range specs, the Z2 Play is still a powerful phone with a respectable power to price ratio.

As an added bonus, the phone plays well with Moto Mods. Remember those? Last year Moto introduced them to the Z range. The Mods platform was arguably the best mainstream attempt at cracking the modular accessories trend of last year.

It was seemingly successful enough for Moto to double down this year, ensuring last year’s tech is compatible and introducing a range of new Mods. To get you started, early orders of the Moto Z2 Play will get a 2,200 mAh Power Pack Mod bundled.